Summer is winding down as back-to-school items are popping up on store shelves. The last few weeks of summer are the perfect time to complete your back-to-school checklist. Pediatrician Dr. Anne Francis says a physical examination for your child should always make the cut, no matter what grade your child is entering.

Though some may find a suntan attractive, it’s actually a sign of damage to skin cells—the kind of damage that may lead to skin cancer. And while it’s the most common type of cancer, with proper sunscreen use, skin cancer is also the most preventable type of cancer. UR Medicine dermatologist Dr. Sherrif Ibrahim explains what to look for when searching for sunscreen.

There may be something to that old apple-a-day adage. Studies show that plant-based diets may help reduce the risk of getting cancer and also prevent its recurrence in cancer survivors. It might also aid with chronic diseases like diabetes. Registered dietitian Sue Czap shares the benefits of a plant-based diet and strategies we can use to integrate more fruits and vegetables every day.

With approximately 73,000 cases being diagnosed annually, bladder cancer is the sixth most common type of cancer in the U.S. Each year, about 15,000 deaths occur from this disease. UR Medicine oncologist Dr. Elizabeth Guancial shares reasons why women tend to be diagnosed with bladder cancer later than men and what to look for in terms of symptoms.

Visiting your dentist regularly is about more than avoiding cavities or having beautiful teeth. It can also lower your risk for oral cancer and potentially help you avoid much larger problems down the road. Dr. Lee Pollan, an oral and maxillofacial surgeon with UR Medicine’s Eastman Institute for Oral Health, offers tips on screening for any signs of cancer in your mouth.

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